High school football: Vikings overcome slow start, pound Brighton

PLEASANT GROVE — Pleasant Grove started slow but ultimately made quick work of Brighton in the first round of the 5A state tournament on Friday.

The Vikings fell behind by a field goal in the opening minutes, but found their rhythm soon after and cruised to a 37-10 win and a trip to the quarterfinals.

In the absence of some of its key players, quarterback Dallas Lloyd had a big day with 203 yards of total offense, and the Pleasant Grove defense forced four turnovers.

"We realize it's a one-week season and we've got another week in front of us to perform," said Vikings coach Dale Sampson. "I think we matured a little bit more today. We keep just trying to get a little bit tougher and have better execution every week."

Pleasant Grove went into the game without one of its key running backs, Joey Owens. Early in the first half LeSean Wilcox went out with a shoulder injury. But the Vikings had enough weapons on the depth chart to put together a potent offensive attack either way. Along with Lloyd, Sean Stevenson stepped into the running back role well, and Sefa Tanoai had some big catches from his tight end spot that kept Brighton's defense off-balance.

"It's that time of the season where it takes everybody to move to the next game," said Sampson.

After Anthony Mares kicked Brighton's opening field goal, Pleasant Grove got an interception and turned it into a touchdown run by Stevenson.

Josue Meza's 30-yard field goal put the Vikings up by a touchdown, and a fumble on Brighton's next possession led to a one-yard TD run by Lloyd.

The Bengals struggled to get any offensive momentum going. Pleasant Grove's defense stifled the running game and every time a drive started to show promise, a fumble or interception ended it.

"We've been keyed up with our defense all year," said Sampson. "The defense creates turnovers. I think we got maybe three scores off turnovers." Pleasant Grove opened the game up in the third quarter when Stevenson added a five-yard touchdown run, making the score 24-3. Four plays later, Jordon Edwards put the final nail in the coffin, returning a punt 58 yards down the sideline to make it 30-3.

Treavor Hawkins put the Vikings' last score on the board with a four-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Brighton's lone score of the second half was a one-yard sneak by freshman quarterback Taylor Loomis.

Pleasant Grove will host Syracuse in next weekend's quarterfinal game.